E! is reportedly considering using a 30-second delay in its live red carpet coverage of the Oscars tonight, sources told The Hollywood Reporter. As the site notes, the move would allow the network to avoid any backlash, confrontations, or awkward moments on the recent sexual misconduct allegations against presenter Ryan Seacrest by his former stylist, Suzie Hardy.

E! didn't confirm it was using a delay, but a spokesperson from the network told THR it's "business as usual" for tonight's red carpet program. "As always, we tape multiple sources of content simultaneously to deliver the best possible show, and there are often brief delays between interviews," a rep from E! told The Hollywood Reporter.

The accusations against Seacrest were first made last fall, but arose again last week after Variety acquired a letter from Hardy explaining her "years of unwanted sexual aggression" from the TV host.

"Sadly, last fall I became one of the accused, which I promptly revealed proactively to the network involved and to the public. And to be equally clear, those accusations were then investigated by an independent third-party over the course of a two-month process and involved dozens of interviews that included me, the accuser and countless others. Ultimately, my name was cleared. I eagerly participated in the investigation in order to demonstrate my innocence because I know my truth, and I believe in due process."

Hardy's allegations against Seacrest first broke in November, when she spoke out anonymously. At the time, the E! host responded with a public apology. "If I made her feel anything but respected, I am truly sorry. I dispute these reckless allegations and I plan to cooperate with any corporate inquiries that may result," he said in a statement.

After the claims, E! announced an internal investigation on the TV personality, but it concluded that there was "insufficient evidence to support the claims against Seacrest."

As E!'s Live from the Red Carpet aired this evening, Seacrest resumed his usual position, interviewing stars as they arrived to the Academy Awards. His co-host Giuliana Rancic, who usually also conducts interviews, was stationed in a different location, offering commentary from the Roosevelt Hotel.

Some viewers were upset to see Seacrest onscreen following the allegations. They spoke out on Twitter, criticizing the network's decision to feature the host.

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Weird that #ryanseacrest is on the #oscars red carpet and Giuliana Rancic is broadcasting from the Roosevelt Hotel. Given the allegations of harassment against Seacrest and gender pay disparity issues at E! I'd have thought it would be the other way around.

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It is telling that on Hollywood's biggest night, the #Oscars, in the year of #MeToo and #TimesUp, that it will be Ryan Seacrest, a man accused of wrongdoing, who is being protected on the red carpet with a reported 30-second time delay in case attendees challenge him.

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If E! is truly vetting potential interviewers for Ryan Seacrest during the #Oscars90 red carpet, and only men & white women are being interviewed by him, then, well, that pretty much says it all. Like the presidential election, women of color are NOT here for this bullshit.

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Despite the recent allegations, Ryan Seacrest is still holding on to his No. 1 spot for E! at the top of the red carpet. Giuliani Rancic is standing about 60 feet behind him, a less desirable spot for celebrity wrangling. #Oscars

The reactions weren't only limited to the TV viewers. Jennifer Lawrence—a self-proclaimed E! fan who supported former host Catt Sadler after she left the network over a massive pay gap—said she was unsure whether she'd do an interview with Seacrest at the Oscars tonight.

"I don’t know… that is where this stuff gets tricky," she told Howard Stern this week.

Erica GonzalesErica Gonzales is the Culture and Content Strategy Editor for BAZAAR.com, where she oversees news and culture coverage, including celebrity, music, TV, movies, and more.

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